MLS Power Rankings: New York Red Bulls Close out the Regular Season on Top

MLS Decision Day lived up to the hype on Sunday. The New York Red Bulls won their second Supporters' Shield in three years. The rest of the playoff picture was also finalized, with the postseason beginning on Wednesday with the knockout round matches. The epic conclusion of the regular season has drastically altered the final power rankings before the playoffs. As always, every team will be ranked based on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance. Recent form beyond the previous match.  Key absences. Current standing. Here's where every MLS team stands at the end of the regular season.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: FC Dallas Back on Top After a Wild Week 33

The final rounds of the season were expected to be dramatic based on how tight the standings are in both conferences. However, Week 33 was even crazier than anyone anticipated. Almost every team in the top-six spots in the Eastern Conference earned some massive wins. The West was just as noteworthy with the Portland Timbers smashing the LA Galaxy at home. This week's power rankings were drastically altered following these monumental results. As always, every team will be ranked based on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form beyond the last week Key absences Current standing Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: New York Red Bulls Reign Supreme

There were only three matches in MLS last week due to the international break. However, there were still two major stories that emerged after Week 32. The New York Red Bulls inched closer to their second Supporters' Shield in three years. The Montreal Impact fell to the Red Bulls but are on the brink of the playoffs thanks to the former's win on Saturday. Despite the lack of activity across the league, there was still some significant movement in the power rankings this week. As always, the teams will be graded based on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form beyond the last week Key absences Current standing Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: New York Red Bulls and FC Dallas Rise After Week 31

Three teams have officially qualified for the playoffs after last weekend's MLS games. FC Dallas, D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls are the teams to have clinched a postseason spot, but they have bigger aspirations. Dallas and New York were both victorious, and in doing so, bolstered their chances of winning the Supporters' Shield.  The Los Angeles Galaxy failed to defeat the Seattle Sounders, which means a new No. 1 will be named in this week's power rankings. As always, the teams will be graded on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form beyond the last week Key absences Current standing Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here's where every team stands following Week 31.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: LA Galaxy Capitalize After a Wild Week 30

Week 30 in MLS was one of the most dramatic rounds of the season. Many of the league's top sides dropped points this past weekend. However, other teams managed to pick up crucial wins as they fight for a spot in the playoffs. With so many differing results, the power rankings have been significantly altered. As always, teams will be ranked based on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form beyond the last week Key absences Current standing Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Eastern Conference Dominates the Top 5

There are only few weeks remaining until the MLS regular season ends and the playoffs begin. Teams are jockeying for the top seeds in their respective conferences as the campaign nears its end. The West's top sides slipped up, but the East capitalized and those clubs have been rewarded in this week's power rankings. As always, teams will be ranked based on the following criteria: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form beyond the last week Key absences Current standing Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here's where all 20 teams stand after Week 29.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: LA Galaxy Slip After a Wasteful Outing

Week 28 in MLS was relatively straightforward. The New York Red Bulls, Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas all earned wins, but the LA Galaxy failed to keep pace. The Galaxy's draw against the Montreal Impact has given other teams the opportunity to pass them in this week's power rankings. The following criteria will be used to determine each team's ranking: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form Key absences Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand After Week 27?

Only 10 of MLS' 20 teams were in action this week during the international break. However, Week 27 still produced some entertainment. Didier Drogba scored a hat trick in his first MLS start for the Montreal Impact. Elsewhere, Clint Dempsey returned to the Seattle Sounders lineup and scored a goal and assisted Obafemi Martins' strike in a 2-1 win against Toronto FC. Since half of the league wasn't in action, it gave the other teams an opportunity in this week's power rankings. As always, the following criteria determines every side's position: Quality of opponent and performance Recent form Key absences Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here are the latest MLS power rankings.Begin Slideshow

MLS Power Rankings: Top 5 Undergoes Drastic Change After Week 26

MLS' "Rivalry Week" lived up to its billing with three particular matches dominating the headlines. The Seattle Sounders defeated the Portland Timbers, the New York Red Bulls triumphed over D.C. United and the San Jose Earthquakes beat the LA Galaxy. Not only did these results drastically alter the MLS standings, they also shifted the top five spots in this week's power rankings. As always, the power rankings are determined by the following criteria: • Quality of opponent and performance• Recent form• Key absences• Remaining games in hand (if applicable) Here's where all 20 teams stand after Week 26 in MLS.Begin Slideshow

Does Vancouver Whitecaps’ Carl Robinson Deserve the MLS Coach of the Year Award?

The Vancouver Whitecaps are riding high in 2015. They are one of the most entertaining teams in MLS, are fighting for the Supporters' Shield and just won their first-ever Voyageurs Cup after 13 years of trying. Vancouver supporters have head coach Carl Robinson to thank for this success. However, it was just 18 months ago that Robinson was fighting for the job against a few marquee names. When ex-coach Martin Rennie was fired after a disappointing 2013 campaign, the Whitecaps immediately went to work to find his replacement. Frank Yallop was mentioned as a potential hire by Michael McColl of Away From the Numbers. Yallop was eventually hired by the Chicago Fire as both head coach and director of soccer just a few days later. A wealth of candidates was brought in for interviews afterward. Robinson, one of Rennie's assistants at the time, was a frontrunner, but Bob Bradley became the top target, per Marc Weber of the Province. There were three others who were interviewed as well. Current New York Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch, U.S. under-17 boss Richie Williams and the outspoken Preki were all considered by Vancouver, according to Weber. The bid to land Bradley fell short. Yallop was in Chicago. That opened the ...